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Reinstalling XP without OS CD.

M

Mayfriday0529

Diamond Member
I have a Thinkpad Z60m that didn't come with an OS disk. The drive is setup with a Hidden Partition to restore the system to factory state. There is also a I386 folder available.

Is there a way for me to just reinstall Windows XP that way i don't install all the unnecessary IBM software or hidden partition? The drive is a 40 gig drive but the OS and Hidden partition only leave me with 18 gigs available.

The system gave me the option to create a set of five rescue CD's but that only again restores the machine to factory state.
 
I had a T-42 in a similar situation. I didn't want all of the IBM stuff either so I used my own retail CD to do a 'clean' install of XP Pro. Yes it was still currently installed on my desktop and yes I called Microsoft to get activated and yes I told them the truth and yes they still activated it for me. 🙂 I'm not saying it will work for you but you might give it a try.
 
I justed asked the IT guy for a Windows XP Home CD that came with our Dell Machines? Do you think that will work. I have a Key for XP Home its under my laptop.

 
Reinstalling to original factory condition is par for the course. If you want better than that - get a second HDD in an external case, and clone your internal HDD (using TI by Acronis) to the external. They can then be swapped as necessary.
 
Look on your C: drive. You most likely will see a couple of folders:
I386 (or i386)
Drivers
Apps (or similar)

Burn all of these to a CD.

Search for and download the magic jellybean finder, and use it to read the XP key off of your machine.

Make an image of your hard drive in case things go horribly wrong.

Use partioning software to remove the hidden partition, and format your hard drive to FAT32

Copy the i386 directory to the hard drive (I did this by removing the HD and attaching it in an external enclosure to another computer). Boot to the DOS prompt using a windows 98 or similar boot disk (actually, I think you can make a bootable floppy from inside XP).

Navigate to the i386 directory, and execute WINNT.EXE

This should start an install process that will involve the contents of i386 being copied to a temporary directory, which can take a while, so be patient. Tell XP you want to format the drive to NTFS when asked. At the appropriate prompt, enter the XP key you extracted with the keyfinder.

After XP has installed (you shouldn't need to activate, because the installed OS (which you are reinstalling) has a VLK key), install the drivers from the Drivers directory you burned to the CD.

Then, install (you should already have downloaded this before you wiped your drive) the Thinkvantage System Updater from the Lenovo website, and run it while connected to the internet to make sure you're drivers are fully updated.

I have used this method on a T23, so it worked for me. YMMV. BTW, I understand that many OEM VLK XP builds are locked to the OEM's bios, so you probably can't go installing your XP "rip" on a different brand of computer.
 
Thanks for the advice Nolonemo

I'll try all of this and see how it goes. I went ahead and ordered a new 100 gig hard drive. I'm going go try to install on that.
 
Originally posted by: Nolonemo
Look on your C: drive. You most likely will see a couple of folders:


Search for and download the magic jellybean finder, and use it to read the XP key off of your machine.


Make an image of your hard drive in case things go horribly wrong.
Click to expand...

I ran the jellybean finder utility and the key given, doesn't match the sticker under the laptop.

Also any free image software recommended to make a copy of the hard drive. Would an image also copy the hidden partition?
 
Most imaging apps can choose from either the drive or certain partitions to make an image.

I have always done full drive images
The reason your CDKey is different from the one on the sticker is IBM uses a VLK key to install the OS with, most likely the install CD was locked to a BIOS type for your machines model (or maybe just IBM brand)
If the install sees the correct BIOS type (or IBM/Brand) it installs and uses the built in CDKey, and wont need activation.
 
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
I ran the jellybean finder utility and the key given, doesn't match the sticker under the laptop.

Also any free image software recommended to make a copy of the hard drive. Would an image also copy the hidden partition?
Click to expand...

Key: Correct, the jellybean finder returns the VLK (volume licensing key?) which is for the pre-installed OEM volume-licensed version of XP active on the Thinkpad. I believe that the version is locked to IBM but not to the specific moded.

I also think there's some way you can burn a backup copy of XP to disc (once) off a Thinkpad factory install (check the forums at Thinkpads.com - http://forum.thinkpads.com), and that the COA on the bottom of the Thinkpad would be used when installing that.

Trust me, the jellybean finder key is the the key you want to use with my method.

Imaging: I know there's freeware imaging software out there, but I use Acronis TrueImage myself. The answer to this question can be found on the forums at Thinkpads.com, I know it has been discussed in depth. BTW, that is a great resource for Thinkpad owners, I highly recommend it, great bunch.
 
Originally posted by: Nolonemo
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
I ran the jellybean finder utility and the key given, doesn't match the sticker under the laptop.

Also any free image software recommended to make a copy of the hard drive. Would an image also copy the hidden partition?
Click to expand...

Key: Correct, the jellybean finder returns the VLK (volume licensing key?) which is for the pre-installed OEM volume-licensed version of XP active on the Thinkpad. I believe that the version is locked to IBM but not to the specific moded.

I also think there's some way you can burn a backup copy of XP to disc (once) off a Thinkpad factory install (check the forums at Thinkpads.com - http://forum.thinkpads.com), and that the COA on the bottom of the Thinkpad would be used when installing that.

Trust me, the jellybean finder key is the the key you want to use with my method.

Imaging: I know there's freeware imaging software out there, but I use Acronis TrueImage myself. The answer to this question can be found on the forums at Thinkpads.com, I know it has been discussed in depth. BTW, that is a great resource for Thinkpad owners, I highly recommend it, great bunch.
Click to expand...

Wow that thinkpad forum has great information and a great walk through to make a bootable XP CD.
 
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